Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Sergeant Gary Morales

St. Lucie County Sheriff's Office, Florida

End of Watch Thursday, February 28, 2013

Leave a Reflection

Reflections for Sergeant Gary Morales

Peace Officers

When the Lord was creating peace officers, he was into his sixth day of
overtime when an angel appeared and said, "You're doing a lot of fiddling
around on this one."

And the Lord said, "Have you read the spec on this order?

A peace officer has to be able to run five miles through alleys in the
dark, scale walls, enter homes the health inspector wouldn't touch, and
not wrinkle his uniform.

"He has to be able to sit in an undercover car all day on a stakeout,
cover a homicide scene that night, canvass the neighborhood for witnesses,
and testify in court the next day.

"He has to be in top physical condition at all times, running on black
coffee and half-eaten meals. And he has to have six pairs of hands."

The angel shook her head slowly and said, "Six pairs of hands... no way."

"It's not the hands that are causing me problems," said the Lord, "it's
the three pairs of eyes an officer has to have."

"That's on the standard model?" asked the angel.

The Lord nodded. One pair that sees through a bulge in a pocket before he
asks, "May I see what's in there, sir?" (When he already knows and wishes
he'd taken that accounting job.) "Another pair here in the side of his
head for his partners' safety. And another pair of eyes here in front
that can look reassuringly at a bleeding victim and say, 'You'll be all
right ma'am', when he knows it isn't so."

"Lord," said the angel, touching his sleeve, "rest and work on this
tomorrow."

"I can't," said the Lord, "I already have a model that can talk a 250
pound drunk into a patrol car without incident and feed a family of five
on a civil service paycheck."

The angel circled the model of the peace officer very slowly, "Can it
think?" she asked.

"You bet," said the Lord. "It can tell you the elements of a hundred
crimes; recite Miranda warnings in its sleep; detain, investigate, search,
and arrest a gang member on the street in less time than it
takes five learned judges to debate the legality of the stop... and still
it keeps its sense of humor.

This officer also has phenomenal personal control. He can deal with crime
scenes painted in hell, coax a confession from a child abuser, comfort a
murder victim's family, and then read in the daily paper how
law enforcement isn't sensitive to the rights of criminal suspects."

Finally, the angel bent over and ran her finger across the cheek of the
peace officer. "There's a leak," she pronounced. "I told you that you
were trying to put too much into this model."

"That's not a leak," said the Lord, "it's a tear."

"What's the tear for?" asked the angel.

"It's for bottled-up emotions, for fallen comrades, for commitment to that
funny piece of cloth called the American flag, for justice."

"You're a genius," said the angel.

The Lord looked somber. "I didn't put it there," he said.

Robin Snyder, Lieutenant retired
Shreveport Police Department

February 28, 2013

Such a sinceless killing to a brave officer my prayers go out to your family and colleges

Sec Richard Richardson
Rtired

February 28, 2013

Rest in peace, Sergeant Morales

Sergeant Dennis McWilliams
Fort Pierce Police department

February 28, 2013

God bless you, Gary. I will never forget you. You always had the biggest smile on your face and always so fun to work with. May God comfort your family and children as you now walk the heavens above. We love you brother and are deeply saddened. God bless.

Ofc. John Fazio
Port St. Lucie Police Department

February 28, 2013

My thoughts and prayers are with Sergeant Morales' loved ones and everyone at the St. Lucie County Sheriff's Office. Rest in peace my brother.

Officer Joe Hoyer
Green Bay Police Department

February 28, 2013

A hero has died today to continue his patrol in heaven. My deepest sympathy to the family of Sergeant Morales, may God be with them and give them strength and guidance during this trying time. Sergeant Morales I slow hand salute you till we meet in the future, R.I.P.

Sergeant Gary Kawasaki
Ret. Honolulu Police Department

February 28, 2013

Sir, please relay my prayers and condolences to his family. My thoughts are with my brothers and sisters in law enforcement and hoping that their grief passes quickly. Be safe.

Corporal Tom Jessup
Arlington County Police Department

February 28, 2013

I am grateful that there are brave officers like you who are willing to sacrifice their precious lives to protect us. Another "Hero" taken. Prayers to your department and most of all to your Loved Ones, you did not die in vain, you died doing what you loved and for that you are a REAL HERO! Thank you. Come walk a beat in Heaven. Watch over your brothers and sisters now, and help keep them safe, as we must stay for now. Till we walk the beat together again, may you R.I.P. SIR.

K.L.Mellinger S.A.R. 223
So. Nye Co. Sheriffs Search & Rescue

February 28, 2013

My thoughts and prayers are with the Morales family and his brothers and sisters at the St. Lucie County Sherriff's Office during this difficult time.

~ Rest in Peace.

Captain Hector Llevat
Miami-Dade Police Department

February 28, 2013

Christ have mercy, Lord have mercy

S. I. Drake, Lt. IPD (Ret)
Indianapolis Police

February 28, 2013

Thank you Sgt. Morales for your years of hard work and dedication and for paying the ultimate sacrifice for the fine folks in the great state of Florida. You are a true AMERICAN HERO !!!!!!

My thoughts and prayers are with your family, friends and co-workers. May you forever, rest in peace, my brother.

HEROES NEVER DIE...

Sgt. Mitch Cheselka (Retired)
Orange County Sheriff, California
Polk County Sheriff, Oregon

February 28, 2013

My heartfelt sympathy goes out to the family, friends, and the St. Lucie brothers and sisters of Sgt. Morales. Thank you brother for your service.

Captain Linda Eastman (ret.)
Warwick Police Dept. (RI)

February 28, 2013

Rest easy brother!

Deputy Tyler Collet
Utah County Sheriff's Office

February 28, 2013

"Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God."
Matthew 5:9

Marshal Chris Di Gerolamo
Federal Air Marshal Service

February 28, 2013

May GOD be with Sergeant Morales and his family. His sacrfice will not be forgtten. RIP my brother in arms!!!!!!!

Lieutenant R. V. Holly
Lee County Sheriff's Office

February 28, 2013

RIP

Bobby Jenkins
Florida State Lodge FOP

February 28, 2013

R.I.P. Sergeant Morales. Your tour of duty is over. We will take it from here. Please report to St. Michael for reassignment. May the good Lord hold your family and friends in his loving embrace during the difficult times to come.

Officer Edward H. Sumerdon
Cook County Sheriff's Office(IL)

February 28, 2013

Rest In Peace Sgt. Morales. Our deepest heartfelt condolences to all of your family, friends, and brothers and sisters at St. Lucie County Sheriff's Office.

Scott Horne U.S. Postal Inspector
U.S. Postal Inspection Service

February 28, 2013

As you departed the bonds of this earth and touched the face of God, know that the service and dedication you had for your department, its fellow officers and the citizens of your community will never be forgotten. May God comfort in this time of sorrow your family, your fellow officers and all those whose lives you have touched. You have served your time in hell, now rest comfortably in the arms of God. RIP, we’ll take it from here.

James W. Moore, Interim Chief of Police
Gardner, KS Police Dept.

February 28, 2013

Rest in peace from Tom in Port Richey, FL

Thomas Anthony Tagliente

February 28, 2013

God bless Sergeant Morales' family, friends and coworkers and give them strength and peace to get through their grief and pain. Thank you for your service and sacrifice brother.

Sergeant Clark O. Parry
Cattaraugus County Sheriff's Office, New York

February 28, 2013

I was one of his first patrol supervisors and I feel like I have lost a son!

Lt. H. D. Savage ret
Saint Lucie County Sheriff's Office

February 28, 2013

Thank for your service and prayers go out to his family friends and the department.

Sgt. Brad Allen
Huntingdon Police Department Huntingdon, Tennessee

February 28, 2013

Your brothers and sisters in blue have a heavy heart today over the tragic loss of Sgt Gary Morales. May God bring comfort to Gary's family, fellow officers and employees of St Lucie County Sheriff's Dept. Rest now, my brother, you're safe in God's arms at last.

Officer Naya Pope
Irving Police, Texas

February 28, 2013

Rest in peace my brother, we have the watch now.

Sergeant James Alfieri
New York State Office Of Court Administration

February 28, 2013

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